[The localization of intermediate filaments in polykaryons in the interphase and mitosis].

Localization of vimentin filaments has been investigated in polykaryons formed by cell fusion in culture of Chinese hamster cells (line Ag17). A network of vimentin filaments was observed around each nucleus of the interphase polykaryons. This compartmentalization of the network persists after beginning of mitoses up to metaphase, both in bipolar and multipolar mitotic cells. The picture of localization of intermediate filaments is most clear in polykaryons with mitotic asynchrony of the nuclei at early stages of mitosis. In anaphase, the central part of the network disappears, and in the polykaryon only peripheral part of the network is observed. The compartmentalization of the network of intermediate filaments is disrupted by such a way. In telophase, bright peripheral fluorescence may by the result of the beginning of network reorganization, and this process will be finished in daughter cells. The role of intermediate filaments in distribution of chromosomes and centrioles between daughter cells during mitosis is discussed.